Phil Thompson has said on the ‘Where’s Jeff?’ Podcast that he still cannot understand why Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal sold Emiliano Martinez to Aston Villa.
Villa signed Argentine goalkeeper Martinez from Premier League rivals Arsenal in the summer of 2020.
The Guardian reported at the time that Arsenal were paid £20 million in transfer fee.
Martinez had done well in the absence of the then-injured Bernd Leno in the final weeks of the 2019-20 season.
Liverpool legend and former Sky Sports pundit Thompson still cannot believe that Arsenal sold Martinez, claiming that he is a better goalkeeper than Leno.
The pundit made the comments while analysing the recent performances of English goalkeeper Aaron Ramdale, who joined the Gunners from Sheffield United in the summer of 2021.
Thompson said on the ‘Where’s Jeff?’ Podcast: “I thought he had a torrid season, not saving much and I was absolutely shocked that they let the better one, in my opinion, go to Aston Villa, Martinez.
“He has looked absolutely stunning. The jury is still out on him, I must admit.”
Flourishing away from Arsenal
Leno is not a bad goalkeeper, although Ramsdale is better with his feet and is likely to become the number one between the posts in the coming weeks and months.
Martinez is flourishing away from Arsenal and has become a big figure at Villa.
The 29-year-old is one of the first names on the Villa teamsheet and won the Copa America with Argentina this past summer.
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